Browsing by Author "Baidoo, Martina Francisca"

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    Experimental simulation and kinetic modeling of bioenergy potential of Eichornia crassipes biomass from the Volta River basin of Ghana under mesophilic conditions
    (Scientific African, 2023-12-21) Asante, Enoch; Arthur, Richard; Agyemang, Emmanuel Okoh; Baidoo, Martina Francisca; Asiedu, Nana Yaw
    The study presents the results of the laboratory experiment performed on the anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth biomass harvested from the Volta River basin of Ghana and Fruit waste sludge as the inoculum. Batch mode of experiment was performed under mesophilic conditions (29 ± 3 C) with a hydraulic retention time of 61 days. The experimental setup was made up of three (3) fermenter bottles of 5.0 L capacity namely F1, F2 and F3. F1 served as the control whiles F2 and F3 served as the test fermenter bottles. Each of the fermenter bottles was fitted with BlueSens methane sensor and BlueVcount flowmeter for the measurement of methane composition and biogas volumes, respectively. The Theoretical Biomethane Potential (BMP) of the water hyacinth biomass was estimated to be 422.23 ml/gVS. The experimental BMP was determined to be 402.62 ml CH 4 /gVS and 356.03 ml CH 4 /gVS for F2 and F3, respectively. Consequently, a biodegradability value of 95.36 and 84.32 % was obtained from F2 and F3, respectively. Moreover, the F2 fermenter bottle recorded a cumulative net methane and biogas volumes of 5576.3 ml and 12,014 ml, respectively. Likewise, a total net cumulative methane and biogas volumes of 4931.0 ml and 11,384 ml were produced from the F3 fermenter bottle. Using the First order kinetic model, an average value of hydrolysis constant for water hyacinth biomass was determined as 0.051 day 1 . Furthermore, the modified Gompertz model, the logistic function model and Transference function models were used to fit the experimental cumulative biogas and methane production data. The outcome of the study shows that, the production of biogas from water hyacinth biomass harvested the Volta River basin of Ghana could offer sustainable control solutions to its invasion on water bodies whiles providing a cheap and reliable means of biofuel to the riparian communities.
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    Rubber seed oil: Potential feedstock for aviation biofuel production
    (Scientific African, Elsevier, 2022-10-04) Baidoo, Martina Francisca; Adjei, Eunice Akyereko; Opoku, Richard; Aidam, God’sable Sitsofe Koku
    The aviation industry is responsible for 12% of transport-related GHG emissions and 2–3% of the global GHG emissions, thus raising concerns for sustainable alternatives such as aviation biofuels. This study sought to analyze the potential of producing aviation fuel from rubber seed oil. Rubber seed oil (RSO) was extracted and the physicochemical properties investigated as well as the fatty acid composition. This result was simulated in ASPEN plus to determine the potential aviation biofuel produced using the UOP HEFA process. The study shows that the golden yellowish oil derived from rubber seed possessed a density 0.9 g/cm3 and pH of 6, refractive index of 1.48, heating value of 23.75 MJ/kg and composed of 75% area of FFA with Oleic and Linoleic acid been the most dominant. The HEFA process on ASPEN Plus showed 81% of feedstock was converted to hydrocarbons with aviation biofuel yield of 46%. It was estimated that the installation of the plant for aviation biofuel production has a total capital cost of $ 8,650,480 and a total operation cost of $ 328,728. The economic analysis shows that at a cost of USD 4/kg (USD 3.01/liter) of aviation biofuel has an Internal rate of return of 18.62% profitability of 1.18 and payback period of 14.9 years of the plant operating. This study established that rubber seed oil shows suitability and potential for sustainable aviation biofuel production.